This report examines the design and operation of efforts by several states that are implementing initiatives to improve low performing schools, drawing out lessons that could be applied in Tennessee. It focuses on why initiatives in Kentucky and North Carolina deserve attention; core ideas shaping Kentucky's and North Carolina's programs; what…

This book provides a comprehensive examination of advocacy by special education professionals, with information from related fields integrated in order to identify essential advocacy competencies for special educators. Unique features of the book include advocacy vignettes integrated throughout the book, as well as "advocacy anecdotes" and…

This policy brief focuses on teacher competence in using technologies in the Pacific region, identifying key policy issues that must be addressed if teachers are to be prepared to capitalize on the investments being made in technology at the local and entity level. Section 1 focuses on what teachers must know and do in order to effectively use…

This report presents guidelines for developing teacher mentoring programs. Section one examines the usefulness of mentoring for beginning teachers, looking at teacher recruitment, improvement of skills and knowledge, and guidelines for effective programs. Section two discusses the climate, context, and structure for effective mentoring,…

Teacher inservice training is critical to the continual development of effective classroom instruction. Professionals who consistently improve their instruction positively impact student performance. Many inservice training sessions use formats that are not conducive to effective adult learning. Good training uses flexible formats, job-applicable…

This research project examined the training of foreign language teachers in Europe. Data were collected from 32 European countries from February to June 2002. Information was also gathered from published documents, ministries of education, higher education institutions, cultural organizations, UNESCO, and teacher associations. Data were fed into a…

This paper addresses what makes an excellent secondary school teacher, what training should occur for potential secondary school teachers to enable classroom excellence, what characteristics define such excellence, and whether excellence is learned or is the product of a particular predisposition, or both. It begins by explaining how excellent…

In 1999, Public Education Network received a 3-year grant as part of a set of projects to better link research and data to policy and practice change. The project was intended to build public knowledge and understanding of how to improve teaching through the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data on teachers and teaching. The project…

This paper describes theoretical, political, and practical contexts for developing standards of practice for teaching, creating a framework for career-long professional learning and establishing a set of ethical standards for the profession. It positions the work of the Ontario College of Teachers within the broader context of Ontario education…

This report focuses on the Educational Opportunities Act, S. 2, which was designed to reauthorize and improve programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for the next 5 years. It describes the purposes of the Act's 11 titles, which focus on the following issues: helping disadvantaged children meet high standards; teacher…

This paper discusses strategies related to the challenge of program accountability for subject matter knowledge and competency among beginning teachers. It focuses on reaching common understandings of three key concepts (accountability, subject matter knowledge, and competence), presenting them from the perspective of the state of Florida. Florida…

This paper examines the complexities surrounding teacher evaluation in general, and the evaluation of preservice teacher educators affiliated with a university teacher education program in particular. It focuses on the purposes of evaluation, whether those purposes are complementary or in conflict with one another, how the evaluation is related to…

This bibliography includes information on five topics. The first topic is "Background Reading in the Social Context of American Schooling." The second topic is "School Reform Since Release of the 'Nation At Risk' Report." The third topic "Education Standards," focuses on "Standards-Setting: In Core Subjects," which looks at "The Arts";…

Teachers and administrators often note that preservice programs do not prepare future teachers adequately to teach reading. Several Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states have addressed this problem. In 1997, the Georgia Professional Standards Review Commission began examining reading certification requirements and found that most teacher…

Urban teachers need a set of attributes that enable them to connect with children and youth in poverty and to function in dysfunctional school districts. The Milwaukee Teacher Education Center's (MTEC's) urban mission is to prepare educators to teach in the real world classroom of urban schools. For example, teachers are prepared to work toward…